K. ARUMUGAM

Thinktanks of Hockey India League.2 wanted to have six women’s teams though it was two less than  men’s. However, they had to further trim to four yesterday due to various factors. Secondly, once the auction started on third day today — first two days were allotted to men’s — the impact of reducing the teams number by two started impacting. Choices narrowed down by two-thirds, the creamy players were bought rather easily, leaving chances of domestic and rising stars getting into the HIL fold bleak if not in disarray.

The emanating fires were soon doused after the first break that came after 150 minutes of  auction that saw 41 players picked up. It was also interesting to see Rani Rampal bidding for Soorma Hockey Club owned by JSW along with Japan Chief coach Jude Menezes, legend Deepika Thakur bidding for Bengal and Jenneke Scopmann, yes the till recently Women’s Chief coach, for Kalinga Warriors along with former High Performance Director David John.

Hockey India League governing Committee came out with a statement during the first break. It is reproduced here for clear understanding.

“The Hockey India League Governing Committee is pleased to announce that it has approved a request from unsold players of the Indian Senior Women’s and Junior Women’s teams to reduce their base price to 2 lakhs.

This decision comes in response to a collective appeal from the players and demonstrates our commitment to supporting athlete participation and furthering the growth of women’s hockey in India.

Key points of this decision include:

1. The base price reduction applies to all previously unsold players from both the Senior and Junior Women’s teams.
2. The new base price is set at 2 lakhs, making these talented athletes more accessible to interested franchises.
3. This change aims to increase opportunities for players to be selected and participate in the Hockey India League.

We believe this adjustment will benefit both the players and the league, fostering greater competitiveness and excitement in women’s hockey. The Hockey India League remains committed to the development of the sport at all levels and continues to work closely with players to ensure the league’s success and growth”.

The second session of auction started with the fresh outlook. Second break came after each team got 20 players.

Doors were then opened for closed door bidding for the remaining four players which went on for about 150 minutes. There came another break, the third, about an hour after about 10 names were announced in the closed door meeting.

Ultimately, when four teams were finalized and the bidding legends came out for press meet, one can easily say a history has been made — World’s first Women’s commercial league is now a reality.

The complete list of Women HIL teams.

42-96

41.Eva Roma Maria (NED) Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 10.00 Overseas
42.Bansari Solanki Delhi SG Pipers 3.00 India
Jyothi Edula Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 2.00 India
Madhuri Kindo Odisha Warriors 3.40 India
Jyoti Chhatri Odisha Warriors 5.00 India
Deepika Soreng Soorma Hockey Club 2.20 India
Rutuja Dadaso Pisal Odisha Warriors 4.90 India
Akshata Abaso Dhekale Soorma Hockey Club 3.10 India
Preeti Soorma Hockey Club 2.00 India
Baljeet Kaur Odisha Warriors 10.00 India
Khaidem Shileima Chanu Delhi SG Pipers 2.50 India
Huda Khan Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 2.00 India
Hina Bano Soorma Hockey Club 3.00 India
Binima Dhan Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 2.00 India
Lalrinpuii Pachuav Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 2.00 India
Jyoti Singh Delhi SG Pipers 2.00 India
Munmuni Das Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 2.00 India
Manisha Delhi SG Pipers 3.70 India
Anjali Barwa Odisha Warriors 2.00 India
Sakshi Rana Odisha Warriors 7.00 India
Ishika Delhi SG Pipers 5.40 India
Kanika Siwach Odisha Warriors 3.10 India
Engil Harsha Rani Minz Odisha Warriors 2.00 India
Sonam Soorma Hockey Club 2.00 India
Nidhi Soorma Hockey Club 2.00 India
Geeta Yadav Delhi SG Pipers 2.00 India
Lilly Paulin Stoffelsma (GER) Odisha Warriors 7.00 Overseas
Penny Squibb (AUS) Soorma Hockey Club 6.60 Overseas
Stephanie De Groof (BEL) Delhi SG Pipers 5.00 Overseas
Giselle Anne Ansley (GBR) Delhi SG Pipers 5.00 Overseas
Sonika Odisha Warriors 5.40 India
Jimena Maria Cedrés (ARG) Soorma Hockey Club 5.80 Overseas
Victoria Sauze (ARG) Odisha Warriors 6.80 Overseas
Michelle Fille (NED) Odisha Warriors 6.60 Overseas
Grace O Hanlon (NZL) Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 5.00 Overseas
Nisha Odisha Warriors 2.60 India
Jennifer Rizzo (USA) Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 2.40 Overseas
Miri Maroney (AUS) Delhi SG Pipers 2.00 Overseas
Elizabeth Ann Neal (GBR) Delhi SG Pipers 2.00 Overseas
Charlotte Watson (GBR) Delhi SG Pipers 2.00 Overseas
Preeti Dubey Delhi SG Pipers 6.70 India
Himanshi Delhi SG Pipers 2.10 India
Natalia Salvador (CHL) Soorma Hockey Club 2.00 Overseas
Anna Toman (GBR) Soorma Hockey Club 10.00 Overseas
Upasana Singh Soorma Hockey Club 2.10 India
Aishwarya Rajesh Chavan Soorma Hockey Club 2.10 India
Vidyashree Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 2.00 India
Priyanka Wankhede Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 2.00 India
Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 9.50 India
Sadhna Sengar Odisha Warriors 2.10 India
Shilpi Dabas Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 2.00 India
Ajmina Kujur Soorma Hockey Club 2.00 India
Manashri Delhi SG Pipers 2.00 India
Vandana Patel Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 2.00 India
Amanpreet Kaur Soorma Hockey Club 2.00 India
Nandni Odisha Warriors 5.00 India